Celtic Diary Friday August 17: That Was The Week That Was

Celtic will face Suduva next Thursday in an attempt to reach the group stages of the Europa League.

Ah well, it is what it is.

The more optimistic among us remind us that the 2002-03 UEFA Cup campaign started with a tie against the Lithuanians, and we all know how that ended up.

They also remind us that we had a manager from the north of Ireland who had won a treble in charge, just like we have this year.

Well, book me up for Baku. (Its where the final is )

We may not have won anything that particular season, but it was fun, in a sort of beat yourself over the head with a hammer way.

But we can make this one better.

We have to make this one better.

Some supporters are alarmed by movement on the dark side..

That lid will be firmly slammed down when the time comes, there really is no need to worry.

However, the fact that some of us are worried is down to spectacular mismanagement on the part of Celtic, as yet again we manage to go from this

to this

in less than the time it takes to choose new wallpaper for the living room.

When the bus was happy, thats the time to ask people to join us and be a part of something. when its hanging over a precipice, you only get the very desperate climbing on board.

Thats where we seem to have gone wrong. The pitch has become not to sign up and be a part of something, its now help us out we’re bloody useless.

Which, in turn, shatters the confidence of those who made the original bus possible…

Etims Knob of the Week

Easy.

So, are we capable of dusting ourselves down and coming back from this ?

Well, first of all, we need to have a clear and calm appraisal of what “this ” actually is.

We dropped down into the Europa League. For whatever reason, the players failed to get us through the third of four qualifiers, and now the club faces a nervous couple of games to secure European football until Christmas.

What must not happen is heads going down.

A wee shot in the arm is needed to bring back that invincible mentality of just a year or so ago.

First things first, the manager must ask the players if they want to be here.

Those who don’t can go.

That will put an end to the mischievous gossip that threatens to unsettle everyone. If you thought it was bad last week, wait until the “Celtics season depends on this game ” headlines next week…

Lets get everyone back to doing what they’re good at, starting tomorrow lunchtime at Partick.

Off the pitch, its time for Brendan Rodgers and Peter Lawwell to sit down and make sure they’re singing from the same hymnsheet. Both of them have the same objective, yet they seem to be at odds over how to reach it.

Rodgers picks the players, Lawwell finds the funds.

Rodgers also sends the players out on the park to do a job. They’re not bad players, its not a bad team. He needs to remind them of this, and point out that any new sigings will be to take some of the pressure off them, not to put them out of a job.

Anything else from that pair and you can forget the eighth title.

Its not been a great week, its been one to forget, but lessons have to be learned, and actions taken to prevent a repeat.

Right, thats the misery and gloom out of the way, lets lighten up by making fun of those less fortunate than ourselves, and thankfully, there’s always one or two of them…

The latest circulation figures for our mainstream media are out, and there’s been an interesting development in the world of regional rags, that is, the one inhabited by the Evening Times, Glasgows answer to the impending national toilet paper shortage.

You’ll note that despite their love in with all things orange and blue, a figure less than half of those who attend Ibrox on match days regularly buy their paper, which indicates an editorial policy that isn’t working.

Perhaps they should look at childrens comic The Beano, which has nearly twice its readership, largely because it has bettter writers, more believable stories and much more lovable characters.

There are no figures to hand for the Sun, The Record and the other tat, but as soon as someone buys one they’ll let us know.

One of the reasons no one takes the press seriously any more is their refusal to present the facts in a balanced and honest way.

Last night, yet again, “rangers ” fans were involved in fighting before their game with Maribor in Slovenia.

Its made the papers, but in a relaxed and casual way, with no one mentioning that this trouble is present at nearly every game featuring the new club, who, unfortunately for them, seem to have attracted the less desirable elements of the old Rangers support.

Theres another story there as well, as you will notice there are no replica kits being worn, and thats because they can;t buy any as there are none for sale…but sshhh, we won’t talk about that.

And their fans, well, they ain’t the brightest, as we can see…

Confused ? He certainly is, as it isn’t Rangers who are playing either.

The fellow who arranges the book displays at WH Smith isn;t confused..he seems to know his stuff.

You can’t blame our friends over the river for not knowing what to think.

There’s been another bid for Alfredo Morelas, apparently, from Bordeaux for around £3.75m, a sharp drop in his value from the last bid.

We heard about this, and decided to ask Bordeaux for a reaction to the story.

Caption: ‘That’s odd; I can see 4 Celtic ties but I don’t see any Celtic supporters’

Today…

132 Responses

Mike AnnisAugust 17, 2018 at 10:11 am ·

6 attempts to get inline….bloody resource limit reached. What is the problem ET?

Caption: It’s alright Dedryck, you can come out now, the taxi’s here.

John mccloy in TasmaniaAugust 17, 2018 at 10:13 am ·

Burney ur ye doon there son.ref.rab c nesbitt.

MontiAugust 17, 2018 at 10:15 am ·

” A wee shot in the arm is what’s needed”
That’s you got the Dundonians on the blog paying attention.

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 12:07 pm ·

🙂
Quality

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 12:19 pm ·

Ironically we play the jags next 😉

Noel SkytrotAugust 17, 2018 at 10:19 am ·

We’ve just got to put this week behind us and move forward and that starts with turning the Jags over tomorrow. I don’t think we’ll have any probs turning Suduva over either. As for the Huns, they just can’t help themselves. The oul Fool Brittania mindset never leaves them and when they go away on European jaunts they must think that these countries are maybe old colonial outposts and they can behave in any way they see fit. I’m surprised those pesky “Scotland”fans are out there again causing bother again, or maybe it was “Chelsea” fans again. Incidents like the above are and their mindset are the reasons why I have no Sevco supporting friends or associates. Never have and never will. Scotland’s Shame

Caption…Peter have you found the transfer fund money down there? Point the torch left and you’ll it might be next to the rusty shortbread tin marked Kelly and White.

MontiAugust 17, 2018 at 10:31 am ·

Fuck the Europa league, the board are a fucking disgrace!
To not back our manager on the back of his success is fucking shameful!

What’s the fucking point?
The chance to push the club on, the team on & give the team a greater chance of getting to the group stages was missed, due to arrogance & greed!
They have pissed off our manager & support, well thanks very fucking much!
Fuck off!

The support did not deserve this fucking shit!

MontiAugust 17, 2018 at 10:51 am ·

On the back of appointing Deila, on the back of not going the extra mile for Neil Lennon, on the back of not supporting Brendan Rodgers…

The board should all get to fuck, Lawwell & ahhh fuck it!

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 11:30 am ·

They never backed Deila or Strachan either on the back of appointing them so there is a definite strategy in place.
It’s called “Debt Free at the PLC fuck the signings and the CSC”

TicTocAugust 17, 2018 at 2:14 pm ·

They don’t sell season tickets in May without their reasons; as they’ve got the bulk of the supporters’ money in early, it’s hard to get a unified strategy to kick them in the wallets (the kick in the walnuts will come later).
As an ex shop steward I understand the value of leadership against tyranny. I was dedicated and successful in equal measure until I was sacked and blacked from the industry.
Anyway, I think we need a ‘shop stewards committee’ to represent our huge supporter base in all its glory with recommendations made to us supporters as to what actions we should take to wrest control of our sacred club from the vice of Capitalist tyranny.
Fuck the PLC, we’ve had enough. FC not PLC.
COYBIG
HH

The ChaAugust 17, 2018 at 11:38 am ·

As usual, eloquence personified.

Congreton and Rodgers had identified 3/4 high quality signings that Lawwell failed to deliver; that is the only issue.

If they had been signed and failed to deliver then there would be questions for Rodgers to answer.

This is not a shared blame, it’s one person’s alone and unless that rot is fixed or cutout we’ll endlessly repeat these failures.

Noel SkytrotAugust 17, 2018 at 11:41 am ·

Don’t fucking haud back mate…let it all out. Lol I get yer anger and frustration Monti lots of Jungles feeling the same way. I’m just hoping we can get back into gear the morra and put this sorry episode behind us. The 2nd can’t come quick enough for me. I want us to put the vermin down as they all think we’re done. I know we’ve heard it all before but this time round is different with the scum of the earth. Any ways, keep on ranting like a mad bastard it eases the frustration.

jimmybeeAugust 17, 2018 at 11:55 am ·

Agreed m8 whats the fuckin point. A Mickey Mouse trophy for losers.Seville we had a proper champions league team who continued to win all home games and had just no luck away.
9 points consistently won in the group’s. Thats why we got to seville.
We are a shadow of that team.
Why play thursdays Sundays every week we aren’t going to win the europa league. The teams who drop down or the big 4 leagues will win it.
Play the reserves fuck Lawwell I won’t be paying into it.
The domestic front comes first anyone who thinks sevco arent better and could do us damage havent being paying attention.
HH

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 12:16 pm ·

Totally agree on the Sevco comment Jimmy they will be pushing us this Season and if they sign that lanky Jeremy Hunt fae Hearts well things could get Interesting?
What I don’t get however is the snobbish attitude towards the Europa League by many fans in Football.
It’s a tough Competition to win much akin to the Championship in England not as tough as the EPL but still tough enough to chew any side up that doesn’t take it seriously.
It is in my opinion the only way we will ever see a European Trophy ever paraded at Celtic again for the foreseeable future.
UEFA have more or less guaranteed that for all the underfunded League Champions.
We are a Europa League Level side now who on occasion can make it to the big League and on rare occasion make it to the knockout phase.
Unless of course we alter our entire approach to Debt and Investment in players.
Not holding my breath on any of those though.
We should approach the Europa no different than we would the Champions League in my opinion.

jimmybeeAugust 17, 2018 at 12:37 pm ·

It’s a drain on the players Charlie for me its champions league or fuck all. I don’t think it’s worth it. Every time we come back from Europe we struggle we just don’t have the squad to compete on all fronts. I would rather we concentrated on the league play an under strength team in europa
Bain Gamboa Miller Christie Allan Hayes Johnstone Kouassi Aitchison Morgan give them experience then when europe comes round next season they will know how to adapt.
But fill your boots m8 its just not for me.

jimmybeeAugust 17, 2018 at 1:18 pm ·

The board gambled on getting to at least the 4th qualifier on a shoestring. Hoping to gain even more money to tuck away.
Alas it was to fail as key players got injured and Boyata played silly buggers. They would probably have got away with it too if Dembele Boyata Ajer and Edouard had been able to play.
I’m sure we would have beaten AEK with a full team.
Europa is not what we the support nor the manager deserves. Yet this board ensured that is all we get. So fuck them you have your europa league if that’s all you think of us.
Sevillevteam was a proper champions league team.
9 points consistently from the group.But they failed to win it. This team has no fuckin chance.
This team cannot compete on both fronts simple as.So what do you want Thursday night against some team from Ukraine or a team winning the league. I want the team winning the league.
Play the reserves give them valuable european experiance if we are not going to buy then guys like Bain Christie Allan Hayes Johnstone Morgan Aitchison Hendry Miller Ralston Kouassi could all have a wee run of European matches to get them ready.

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 4:57 pm ·

I can see your justification in fucking the Europa off Jimmy and I totally agree the O’Neill Celtic would have battered the current one 9 games out of 10 but this comes back to my point on the Boards approach to Debt and Transfers?
They forked out just short of £30m on MON’s team and he already had Larsson and Lubo in the squad?
If you equate that spend to the modern era then we are talking the best part of £50m in today’s bloated market?
The problem was they got nervous at the levels of debt and immediately set about addressing that when he left and Strachan came in?
It’s been a procession of underfunding and cutting corners ever since Wee Chesney came and went.
We are not Champions League Level now Jimmy we are kidding ourselves on if we think we are.
Champions League outfits routinely spend upwards of £50m replenishing heir squads and as we know he big boys can Treble that in a blink.
We will be officially Debt Free in July 2019.
That means no overdraft ,no paying back Long Term Loams etc.
Is this the true agenda by the Investors?
Maximum sell on value for their shares when they fuck off and retire?
I think so, so many of them are of an age where the Golf Course is calling and those shares will be worth a pretty penny when they punt them as they surely will.
Stadium Complete
No Debt
Successful Side
Hotel Built
Disco lights and bobbles the lot.
All at the cost of the side in Europe and no doubt the Manager when he gets tired if their stingy approach?
We’ve seen this repeat too many times bud.
Lawwell is the Wizzard of Oz sat behind his green drapes.

The ChaAugust 17, 2018 at 5:20 pm ·

Loam may be used for building the hotel and museum but doubt it’ll be useful for team building. 🙂

Very interesting! The data seems to confirm , at the least, my impressions of our CB’s.

I assume that Compper and Hendry are BR signings and it makes you wonder about his judgement in this area. Or was he badly advised? It looks like 2 million plus wages down the drain.

Rebus

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 12:28 pm ·

O I think Brendan has a weakness in his approach to defending.
Needs to be more pragmatic especially in Europe where teams punish mistakes if presented to them.
AEK proved that quite emphatically.

TicTocAugust 17, 2018 at 2:34 pm ·

As I think Macca? pointed out, and I agreed, we’ve GOT to ask questions of John Kennedy and Kolo Toure as well as the whole defensive set up and that includes forcing Craig Gordon to do what he patently can’t; use his feet for anything but standing on. A great shot-stopper but must be allowed to play to his strengths. The continual fucking about at the back in order to maintain possession is awful to watch, anti-football and ends up costing us. The wingers MUST be told to stay wide, take men on and get good, fast crosses into the box and also try running into the box from wide. Panic defenders into errors and win penalties. It works for our opposition without too much effort! Oh, fuck it….don’t we pay huge amounts to individuals to organise Celtic Football Team? Yeah, thought so.
COYBIG
HH
FC not PLC

MaccaAugust 17, 2018 at 9:10 pm ·

Totally agree TicToc. Running at defenders. When do we ever see it? Patrick Roberts did it when he first came but we coached that out of him in favour of passing it across the box and even back to the keeper!!

MikeAugust 17, 2018 at 11:03 am ·

Caption, In Glesga they sniff glue, in Edinburgh they sniff holes, in Argyle they sniff fish but in Stoke they smell feet.

The ChaAugust 17, 2018 at 11:33 am ·

Why do noses run and feet smell?

MikeAugust 17, 2018 at 2:03 pm ·

I have no idea, I’m still trying to find out why do Poles Vault and why Pigs have to die, before they are cured.

The ChaAugust 17, 2018 at 2:54 pm ·

I assume you’re pleased that the smirk has been wiped off Putrid’s puss with the post-McGinniesta era starting with a thumping defeat.

The problem at Celtic is symptomatic to the way we approach the Game.
On the Park we play an offensive attacking style of Football and while this is much better to watch than say a more pragmatic/boring approach it is fraught with more risk and danger.
The modern obsession with “ball playing CB’s” is only contributing to even more risk at Clubs like ours where it is apparent and clear as the nose on your face that we are not buying quality defenders who can naturally do this?
On top of that you need all of them to be able to do this for it to work as work loads increase and injuries/suspensions take their toll?
Brendan and Managers like him are boxing themselves into a corner by demanding that the defenders do this rather than say play a quick pass out of defence to MF or as the case may be sometimes just fuckin blooter it up the Park to the front man/men?
As Celtic fans we are all guilty of wishing to see fast flowing ,attacking Football?
However we are also guilty of expecting this weekly without taking into consideration the risk that this brings with it?
Especially in Europe where quality sides will punish you in a flash.
AEK might not have been top quality by comparison to say the sides who will make up the majority of the Groups but they are certainly much better than the shite we will face week in week out in Scotland most weeks.
Drop them into our Division and I guarantee you they would push us much harder than Aberdeen or The Tribute Act.
I for one would like to see a more pragmatic approach to defending and perhaps dispense with this obsession of knocking it around at the back EVERY time it’s back there?
Brown Ntcham and the wide players need to help out more by presenting a straight forward out ball rather than having someone like Jozo trying to pass it 30 yards to feet past a waiting attacker.
Maybe tell Ajer or Hendry you are the guy to break out and these two stay put along with someone dropping off like Brown for example.
The risks will be reduced greatly I feel.
That aside we need to bring in better quality defenders ,guys who are of a standard like KT who can defend first and foremost before attempting to be a Ramos or Van Dijk?
You want a Van Dijk Brendan tell Lawwell to go find one and go fuckin sign one (good luck with that).

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 11:52 am ·

Post gone to the Ether Bar be nice to see it before closing time 😉

CortesAugust 17, 2018 at 11:53 am ·

Caption:
The Krankies in Shock Revival of The Slab Boys…

jpm 88August 17, 2018 at 11:54 am ·

” Both of them have the same objective ” …. mmmm???

Yoker BhoyAugust 17, 2018 at 11:55 am ·

Welcome to Paradise Danny Arzani, who could help to fill the void left by Paddy Roberts. Definitely an exciting prospect. Let’s hope he’s the first of a few good signings in theese coming days.

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 12:32 pm ·

Oh well wee Mikey Johnston will be off to Hibs then as we prepare Man Citehs “unknown potential” into first team possibility.
If we don’t have an option to buy this kid then we have more issues than we thought at Celtic.

Yoker BhoyAugust 17, 2018 at 2:25 pm ·

CS, it is believed that there will be an option to buy or, if that doesn’t come about City are willing to offer discounts on future transfers in exchange for developing the kid. My source was the Celtic Star Blog but I expect the exact conditions of the loan to be revealed over the next day or so. What we do know is that it’s a 2 year loan deal, which could be of great benefit if the boy excels.

At the moment it’s just about welcoming the lad in and giving him a decent chance. I think it’s healthy to be well-stocked with talented wingers with injuries, fatigue and dips in form playing their part, especially in this position on the field. Sinclair’s form hasn’t been exactly scintillating of late so he’l have some more competition now from both new kids (Morgan and Arzani) to keep his place in the team. Hayes might also drift out of the picture if these young guys, Johnston included, start to show what I think they are capable of.

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 5:05 pm ·

My fear is though that Johnston gets loaned out to accommodate someone else’s project?
Hayes was a proven winger at Aberdeen why he hasn’t been given the opportunity on the left (where he’s spent most of his career) when a Sinclairs form has been mince is anyone’s guess?
His ball to Rogic for the first v Livingston was a glimpse of what he can bring.

Yoker BhoyAugust 17, 2018 at 6:45 pm ·

Competition for places can be healthy and if the new boy and Mikey are directly vying for a slot on the wing, may the best man win, loanee or not. I’ve never thought Hayes was a bad player but he’s not getting any younger and, like the others, to get a regular place in the side he’ll have to consistently prove his worth.

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 7:00 pm ·

Brendan opted to play a MF on the wing v AEK rather than a fit Hayes that perhaps tells us something about his chances of getting regular games?
I mean 2 left wingers on the Bench and you start McGregor out there?
Very odd.

Yoker BhoyAugust 17, 2018 at 8:52 pm ·

For the big games Brendan doesn’t want to leave either Calmac or Rogic out of the side and that’s probably the easiest way to accommodate them both. Tbh Calmac performed extremely well towards the end of last season in the wide left berth, especially against the huns. I’m delighted to see that Morgan is back in training again as I think there’s something really special about this player – he could well be the long-term solution to the left-wing conundrum.

It¡ll be interesting to see how Brendan approaches tomorrow’s game at Firhill in the light of recent events. Will he ring the changes or will he go with our strongest possible? I’m not even going to attempt to predict the line-up, I just hope we see a better performance and a few goals.

MontiAugust 17, 2018 at 11:57 am ·

What’s happening with the stripping of titles, Mr Lawwell?

Noel SkytrotAugust 17, 2018 at 12:28 pm ·

There’s no title stripping happening nor any other sanctions going to be imposed and anyone who thinks there will be is in my opinion, deluded. It’s about time some people realised that it’s not going to happen and as I’ve always stated our own are complicit in this.

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 12:34 pm ·

I agree Noel there is no way the 5 Way Agreement went ahead without the top Clubs giving a wee wink and a nod first to the SFA and SPFL

Noel SkytrotAugust 17, 2018 at 1:02 pm ·

CS, they’ll just draw this out for years hoping we get pissed off with inaction and forget about it all. Bland statements to the shareholders, fans and their associations maybe a wee “we’ve tried everything we could possibly do.” Governments, judicial systems, organisations etc all do it. It’s poor as you look at the Res12 guys and others fighting like warriors for nothing. Where I come from bullshit is bullshit no matter which way you try to dress it. It’s the same with those stupid bastards over the Clyde, don’t want to face the realities that Kings a cunt and skanking them. Emotional attachment across the board.

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 1:14 pm ·

100% Çomrad

jpm 88August 17, 2018 at 1:20 pm ·

100% correct .
Reason so many of our fans are in denial is that to accept your premise of complicity ,and also the ACCEPTANCE by our Club of being cheated for years would mean what ;

that it’s a rigged game ?
that it’s less a fierce sporting rivalry , more of a “punch & Judy” pantomime ?
That what’s the fucking point ?

How many fans want to face up to those possible realities ?
I know how hard that is because that’s ” where I’m at ” re- all this .
I can’t lose the Celtic -ness in me but in reality ; it’s just not the same anymore .
You look and hope for something to happen to disprove your suspicions but the longer it goes the stronger those suspicions .
So I understand why so many fans would rather ignore than confront the big ” elephant in the room “

Noel SkytrotAugust 17, 2018 at 1:34 pm ·

JP, like everyone else on here Celtic oozes from every pore and you want to make sure that we’re a success and still buy in to attain success. Just firing in my two bobs worth in response to Monti’s comment above. Personally, I can’t see it happening.

I’ll always back the team, manager and my fellow Jungles but have nothing but total contempt for those at long mahogany tables. Heated Driveway Productions (CP) is no different from Heated Sash Productions (IP)

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 10:37 pm ·

It stopped being the same when it became apparent Rangers under Murray had cheated the System and got away with it.
Them dying changed everything forever.
Irrelevant of what the SFA,Media,The Tribute Act say the Club who reside at Ibrox are not Rangers.
Same Ground
Same fans
Same fucked up ideology and traditions
Not same Club
So therefore for all of us things have changed.
Like it or lump it that’s what we are left with.
Meanwhile Celtic go for 8 in a row so fuck the absolute lot of them.
RUARY’s

MaccaAugust 17, 2018 at 9:12 pm ·

Yep!

TicTocAugust 17, 2018 at 2:45 pm ·

Monti’s the one who’s right here. Capitulation and then hoping for better results is what’s deluded, Comrades.
COYBIG
FC not PLC
HH

puggy67August 17, 2018 at 12:03 pm ·

Caption: My last 6 posts located.

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 5:08 pm ·

They found your Winners medal under there with them Puggy 😉
Are you pumping Ralph?

TubbytubthumperAugust 17, 2018 at 12:33 pm ·

Caption: Reports of a hole in the ground in Glasgow…. Police are looking into it!

badum tsh

Cartvale88August 17, 2018 at 12:45 pm ·

Caption i
Paddy Getting a loan spell at Girona is great.

It really is sad, people are saying the Europa is not good enough for Celtic, but the mean spirited individuals at Parkhead, think it’s great, probably would be happy in the Irn Bru Cup.

Stein would have booted their arses across the stadium then stuffed their strobes in a dark hole.

A but wait we have another loan player from Man City, carpetbaggers.

Ralph really missed your wit this week keep it up

Noel SkytrotAugust 17, 2018 at 1:25 pm ·

We want experienced defenders, a creative midfielder not an untested player on loan from City. Hopefully they’re trying to bring the above in as I moan about them being inept. Get the fucking ball rolling.

Puggy67August 17, 2018 at 1:31 pm ·

Caption: £75 wasted on my Rangers FC 1872-2012 🙂 Celtic Paving Stone.

Noel SkytrotAugust 17, 2018 at 1:37 pm ·

New neighbours for me, I hope they like the Rebs on at full tilt.

jpm 88August 17, 2018 at 1:39 pm ·

Ah Arzani ,

nice Pete was able to get one of his over the line , seeing as he didn’t manage to get any of Brendan’s ” over the line” 😉

Heated Driveway Productions back in business ?

Yoker BhoyAugust 17, 2018 at 2:33 pm ·

jpm, we have to give the lad a fair chance to show what he can do. I believe he has exciting raw talent in abundance but whether or not he can cut it in the Scottish top flight remains to be seen. Sometimes these lengthy loan deals work out, sometimes they don’t.

Noel SkytrotAugust 17, 2018 at 2:44 pm ·

Yer right on he needs to be given a chance YBhoy, but personally I want defenders in. Your also right about them being hit and miss, Musonda all the skill in the world, but it just never happened for him. Hope yer good and it’s feckin miserable in El Scotsoun today mate. Lol

Yoker BhoyAugust 17, 2018 at 3:11 pm ·

Alright Noel, agreed mate. Of course defenders are the priority, we’ve been on about that for at least two years. A RB, at least one CB and an experienced midfielder to replace Armstrong would be nice but I won’t be holding my breath. If fuck all happens between now and the end of the windae, the pressure of dicontent will be cranked up so high that something will have to give. Congerton (I’ve just been reading a few colourful comments about his work performance by Sunderland fans) would be an obvious scapegoat but that wouldnt be enough. I’ll keep my own views on hold until the windae shuts.

I hope the weather improves up in sunny Scotstoun comrade. No complaints here at all although there have been a few summer storms. Let’s hope we get things back on track the morra. Enjoy your weekend mate.

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 10:05 pm ·

Armstrong’s replacement is already at the Club.
McGregor.
Makes the same runs is capable of scoring the same goals but unlike Armstrong he seldom is carried in games and ALWAYS makes himself available for a pass.
Never hides in games no matter the occasion.
On top of that can play anywhere across the midfield when asked.
Armstrong has not been missed.

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 10:32 pm ·

Some stats regarding Armstrong / McGregor:

ARMSTRONG
Played 142 games for Celtic
Scored 27 Goals
32 Games in Europe 2 Goals
Total Assists 19

MCGREGOR
Played 168 Games for Celtic
Scored 31 Goals
34 Games in Europe 6 Goals
Total Assists 20

Got these from Wiki and ESPN Player Profiles
Make of these what you will.

Yoker BhoyAugust 18, 2018 at 8:51 am ·

Morning CS, that’s a fair point about Calmac replacing Armstrong. Not exactly the same type of player but Calmac is a jack of many trades and can fill in quite nicely. The fact remains, however, that Armstrong’s departure leaves us thinner on the ground in that area of the field.

jpm 88August 17, 2018 at 3:28 pm ·

Yoker Bhoy ,

agreed , my questioning isn’t re – the player ; rather who’s pick he was .

Generally believed to be a PL pick , not a Celtic manager pick .

Yoker BhoyAugust 17, 2018 at 3:43 pm ·

I know mate. Let’s see how the rest of this window spins out. There could be one or two surprises in store. If nothing else happens, all hell will break lose.

Marcello StefaniAugust 17, 2018 at 1:40 pm ·

Caption:
David Cunningham King- But my father was a Roman
Sergeant Pilate: A Woman?
David Cunningham: No no. ROman!
Sergeant Pilate: Stwike him Constable vewy woughly.
PC Centurion: And throw him to the floor sir?
Sergeant pilate: Oh yes thwow him to the floow!

San MiguelAugust 17, 2018 at 1:56 pm ·

Boyata will train with U-20’s tomorrow according to Chris Davies (wonder where Brendan is ?) so not in first team squad for the Thistle game .

The Celtic F.C. belong to the support, not the board, we are its heart and its soul, its past, its present and its future, the board only own the majority of its shares.

The ChaAugust 17, 2018 at 3:05 pm ·

Except they don’t, DD owns less than 30% and the others negligible; the problem is the apathy of the rest leads him and them to go unchallenged,

MikeAugust 17, 2018 at 3:43 pm ·

You are right of course, there was a might missing in my post, anyway I own at least 00000.004% and the two boys own the same. Remember the wee man from Croy, when he sold his share holding it was his wish that the Celtic support owned the majority of the shares, the next AGM will be interesting.

The ChaAugust 17, 2018 at 3:54 pm ·

Pitch in my 00000.004%, we’ve the makings of a takeover!

The trouble with AGMs (I don’t attend but have heard from others who do) is that they tend to be stage managed and any hostile questions are filtered out and replaced with bland ones.

MikeAugust 17, 2018 at 4:18 pm ·

Watch oot fur the TOP, I was at the last couple, all AGM’s are stage managed, but there is at least a Q @ A
session, where they take questions from the floor, not many attendees like to speak in public and that’s the problem, but at least you are offered the chance to make your point. Preparation is key.

charlieAugust 17, 2018 at 2:01 pm ·

catch yees when yees have recovered crackpots

Paul MacAugust 17, 2018 at 2:33 pm ·

Just a comment on the various negative comments about the Europa League … How it’s a tin pot cup and not worth anything… you do understand that IF we were to win it … we get an AUTOMATIC PLACE in the Champions League .. no more jumping over higher and higher hurdles just to get a play off spot..
Huge ask I know .. there are some big big sharks in the pool but we have a chance … well that’s me optimistic Tim … must be the jetlag … that and trying to avoid bloody skooter riders on the Jakarta streets as my Sat Nav attempts to send me the wrong way up a one way street for the umpteenth time !!

The ChaAugust 17, 2018 at 3:15 pm ·

I’m glad you qualified that with a “huge ask”.

If we make it we’ll be a Pot 2 team, so expected to qualify for the knock out stages but be unseeded to face a team like Zenit or better, so unlikely to get any further.

Personally I hope we get to the last 16 as that’s a progress of sorts from last year.

I know Jimmy etc are worried about the toll on the squad of Thursday/Sunday games but although we don’t have the quality for the Champs League surely we’ve got the quantity to handle that?

I expect der Hun to be there also as their Russian oppo struggled to progress bass Lux’s 4th best. This would negate any benefit they’d get from us playing EL.

Yoker BhoyAugust 17, 2018 at 3:15 pm ·

Agreed mate, the very fact that we could come up against some of those big sharks makes the whole thing worthwhile.

MontiAugust 17, 2018 at 4:36 pm ·

It isn’t worthwhile & we need to stop all this ‘ we are where we are shite ‘
If we had signed the two to three fucking defenders that were fucking NEEDED we would have smashed the fuck out of AEK & Betamax fucking DVD Shite!

It’s a fucking joke!

Yoker BhoyAugust 17, 2018 at 3:43 pm ·

DocAugust 17, 2018 at 3:46 pm ·

As I said after the midweek game, a tie against Suduva gives us a chance to see how far we’ve come.

The previous time we played them was our last season without Lawwell at the helm, this time will be his fifteenth year at our club. We all know he has improved the finances but how has Lawwell’s stewardship impacted on the pitch? We’ll find out soon enough.

Is Lawwell helping to turn our huge financial advantage into improvement in the team or is he doing the bare minimum to placate the fans? Lack of investment in the squad and needing to be prompted to back a slam-dunk case of corruption/fraud. Man City players are becoming a fixture at Celtic, facilitated by Lawwell’s son at City. Do they see Celtic as a feeder club? We get to train and give experience to Arzani, at the expense of players like Mikey Johnston.

Are the Lawwells the new Kellys? Have we been too busy laughing at the sevco chairman to notice faults with our own?

Caption: Match Command team prepare to meet the sevco board.

MontiAugust 17, 2018 at 4:32 pm ·

Personally speaking, i was happier to read that Lewis Morgan was back in training, than the news we had signed Arzani.
I wish Arzani well but the reality is that he isn’t our player.

We are a fucking shambles in defence & go out & loan a young winger from Man fkn City? What for?

So we’ve to resort to the punt up the park to the front man…circa the Oldco method::: words fail me ( obviously they don’t as I’ve written this) CS…I would discuss your other points re playing it out from the back ( it’s all the rage don’t you know) but it would take a lengthy post
This system works, is better football and football intelligence than the previous way and sometimes players ( way better than ours) make mistakes. We’ve got to persevere with the system that pervades all our teams for them to get better at it. Talk of teams in Scotland working this out are wrong as it is kicking, lesser personnel or mistakes that cost us here. It ain’t the system, revert back and we are dooming ourselves for years to come.

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 7:15 pm ·

yes It does work if you have the players in place who can operate it competently.
Unfortunately all the other top Clubs have the same idea and have bought up the defenders who can do it with ease.
We do t spend enough on quality though Steve instead we try push square pegs into round holes and hope for the best?
Well our best at trying this way of playing is coming up somewhat short.
I can plainly see why we would want to operate out of defence this way as possession is king and if you do it right you suck the high press in and hit them on the counter.
By the way has anyone noticed how often we turn over possession from OUR OWN THROW INS?
If you can’t get the fucking basics right what hope in hell have you turning a plank of wood into Franz fuckin Beckenbauer?
Don’t get me started on the supposed transition of Craig Gordon into Manuel Neuer ffs?.

MikeAugust 17, 2018 at 5:22 pm ·

A young lad named John Thomson,
From the west of Fife he came,
To play for Glasgow Celtic,
And to make himself a name.

On the fifth day of September,
Against the Ranger’s club he played,
From defeat he saved the Celtic,
Ah but what a price he paid.

The ball rolled from the centre,
Young John ran out and dived,
The ball rolled by; young John lay still,
For his club this hero died.

I took a trip to Parkhead,
To the dear old Paradise,
And as the players came out,
Sure the tears fell from my eyes.

For a famous face was missing,
From the green and white brigade,
And they told me Johnny Thomson,
His last game he had played.

Farewell my darling Johnny,
Prince of players we must part,
No more we’ll stand and cheer you,
On the slopes of Celtic Park.

Now the fans they all are silent,
As they travel near and far,
No more the’ll cheer John Thomson,
Our bright and shining star.

So come all you Glasgow Celtic,
Stand up and play the game,
For between your posts a spirit stands,
John Thomson is his name…

Puggy67August 17, 2018 at 5:41 pm ·

Comments on Europa are farcical if we do a quadruple this year ending with lifting that trophy can I have the names of those not celebrating?

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 7:38 pm ·

Caption That time the huns signed River Phoenix on a 6 month trial at the nest of vipers…

Iancelt67August 18, 2018 at 2:28 am ·

I want the drugs that killed river phoenix

Honest hoopsAugust 17, 2018 at 7:42 pm ·

Caption; Mr Lawell has told me to leave no stone unturned…the £1 fell in this direction

Good to be back, I’ve been away with work and my phone decided not to find a network…

TicTocAugust 17, 2018 at 8:00 pm ·

Thanks for the Caption win, Ralph, it just seemed topical given most of our views on the Board.
FC not PLC
HH

Lee(WorldClass)Congerton's MumAugust 17, 2018 at 8:42 pm ·

Edouard has a hamstring injury….mmm….wonder how that happened?…

MaccaAugust 17, 2018 at 9:18 pm ·

‘‘Twas said earlier by Monti “BUY FUCKING DEFENDERS YA BUNCH OF FUCKING CLOWNS!” It really is that simple. Why the fuck are we taking on City’s trialist when we have a bench full of wingers on our books, all on a decent wage. Who’s doing the sums?

MontiAugust 17, 2018 at 9:48 pm ·

Macca,
I would love to see the list of playets Brendan wanted & Peter Lawwell to show his efforts in trying to sign those players.
Celtic are starting to remind me of Newcastle Utd in the days of Kevin Keegan…..no emphasis on the importance of a good defence.
I actually feel sorry for Kieran Tierney having to be part of such a poor defence.

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 9:50 pm ·

He might be thinking fuck this if they do t get it sorted?

Charlie SaizAugust 17, 2018 at 10:00 pm ·

There’s no need for an n at Apple no the n is overrated they say.
Cu ts

MontiAugust 17, 2018 at 10:05 pm ·

Ya Do key fud 🙂

MontiAugust 17, 2018 at 10:02 pm ·

Charlie Saiz,
The most galling thing about all of this shit is that it was completely & utterly self inflicted.
Desimond said the same the other day, we are never going to strengthen from a position of strength…..
It’s awful & it’s a mistake!

MaccaAugust 17, 2018 at 10:46 pm ·

Ki ell

BroxburnBhoyAugust 18, 2018 at 7:54 am ·

I would like to see that list as well. I hope part of PLs bonus is calculated on the number of players the manager specifies and he actually lands. Selling players is easy no bonus for that – buying now that is difficult

portpowerAugust 18, 2018 at 2:26 am ·

Welcome to Celtic FC Danny Bhoy.

Is Lee Congerton Celtic`s Paul DePodesta?

Iancelt67August 18, 2018 at 2:31 am ·

Yeah welcome Danny another Aussie can’t be bad

Iancelt67August 18, 2018 at 2:37 am ·

Back home in the lucky country jetlagged to fuck sun shining prosperity. Another Aussie in my favourite team new girlfriend new job I do miss Scotland big time and the green brigade in particular. But happy days ahead. Good Rubin the Europa victories against an improved Hun team

Hail fucking hail

Iancelt67August 18, 2018 at 2:38 am ·

Rubin ? Still drunk

MikeAugust 18, 2018 at 7:43 am ·

No Denyer, Thank you God, mibbee buy John Terry HAHAHAHAHAHA, FFS John Terry, whatever next, go for Ginola, or even Terry Butcher. Bring back, bring back, oh bring back, wee Bertie to me, to me, oh he’s old and grey, but what a player in his day, oh bring back we Bertie to meeeeee. Brave as a Lion, a Lisbon Lion.

MontiAugust 18, 2018 at 7:56 am ·

Nurse Ratched….hurry up with those meds.

MontiAugust 18, 2018 at 8:00 am ·

£2m on disco lights
£2m on a pitch

£1m on a player from Dundee

Farewell & Adieu farewell Spanish ladies
Farewell & Adieu you ladies of Spain,
For we’ve received orders for to sail back to Boston,
No never more in the Champions league again.

MontiAugust 18, 2018 at 8:05 am ·

For Sale: Unused Champions league themed disco lights, £18.88 a bulb, plus Lawwell will throw in a vinyl ’45 of ‘ Zadok the priest ‘.
Hurry now, Don’t miss out on your three bulb per person, champions league package.

Call now on 1967 21 1888 or Email Lawwell at #absolutelynofuckingidea.com

MikeAugust 18, 2018 at 8:05 am ·

Of course one of the good things about the Huns enjoying a wee run in the Europa is that they will play midweek games and so be fucking knackered when they play us and other teams in the league, it almost makes you hope that they get to the Europa play-offs. And then we will rag-doll them, they are about to find out soon just how tough it is to play in double week games, bring it on….
Here we go for 8 INAR. BRING IT ON.

MontiAugust 18, 2018 at 10:07 am ·

Oh so suddenly it’s important Sevco play European games, just to make them a bit tired?
Lol lol

Pish

MikeAugust 18, 2018 at 8:07 am ·

Now I must depart before Disco Duck starts his song of “Woe is Me” from Mr. Negativiteeeee.